Strange Occasional Image Recording Error

[Guest Ming Rider]

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The last few times I've been taking pictures with the M8, an unusual problem has appeared now and again.

 

The camera takes the picture normally, yet when I `chimp` the image, none has been recorded but I get the image number on the screen in white letters eg. L1007495.DNG and no picture.

 

If I turn the camera off and back on again, the problem has gone and takes pictures normally, though the original shot isn't there.

 

The temperature has been about minus 3 or 4 degrees C and apart from using a new non-standard battery, is all I can think of. The new battery is lasting well and apart from this, functions perfectly. This problem has never appeared before and never happened with my old M8 either.

[k_g_wolf ✝]

Have a look at the filedata and check if the shutterrspeed

was set as you intended ...

 

After quite a few black images I found, that the dial of my

camera had moved to 1/4000 from >>A<< resulting in VERY

dark photos when chimping.

 

But perhaps it was the cold ...

 

 

 

 

Best

GEORG

[mgc2010]

Hi. Forgive me if I'm stating the obvious (I'm a newcomer to the joys of owning a Leica) but are you waiting long enough after pressing the shutter before you switch off the camera?

 

Maybe - just maybe, the colder temperatures require the image saving process to take just a little longer?

 

When I first started using my M8 a few months ago I was snapping away (trying to be discreet) and my automatic response as soon as I had fired off the shot was to switch off as I was quickly tucking the M8 back into my jacket out of sight. This resulted in several "blank" shots. It doesn't happen now that I have realized my error.

 

Regards

Colin

[Guest Ming Rider]

Hi. Thanks for the quick reply.

 

The dial was still set to A, though after turning the camera off and then on, there was no file recorded and no file number showing, only the last images taken previously.

 

Like you say, I think it must have been the cold. Brrrr, vill zee rains never come?

[Guest Ming Rider]

Hi. Forgive me if I'm stating the obvious (I'm a newcomer to the joys of owning a Leica) but are you waiting long enough after pressing the shutter before you switch off the camera?

 

Maybe - just maybe, the colder temperatures require the image saving process to take just a little longer?

 

When I first started using my M8 a few months ago I was snapping away (trying to be discreet) and my automatic response as soon as I had fired off the shot was to switch off as I was quickly tucking the M8 back into my jacket out of sight. This resulted in several "blank" shots. It doesn't happen now that I have realized my error.

 

Regards

Colin

 

Hi Colin,

 

Good point, I had noticed that it has sometimes been taking twice as long for the light to stop flashing when the problem occurs, though I haven't been switching it off after the shot.

[ho_co]

The following was possible at one time, but may have been taken care of in the meantime:

 

You might be pushing the shutter release all the way through too soon after wake-up.

 

If the camera times out into "sleep" mode, the first pressure on the release wakes up the camera. From that point, you need to give it a half-second for the metering system to wake up before you press home. If you wake the camera up and press all the way through without that intermediate stop, it's possible to release the shutter without engaging the meter. That fires the shutter closed, giving you a blank exposure.

 

 

Since some after-market batteries don't supply all the data the standard M battery does, the non-standard battery might contribute to this timing delay.

 

 

That is all just a guess; I'd appreciate any correction to my misunderstanding.

[Guest Ming Rider]

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Ho_Co.

 

Thanks indeed for the tip. I've used the camera for 2 days now, making a point of seperating the wake up and shot processes and can report no more 'non shots'. The battery I think wasn't an issue as I had tried both (aftermarket and OEM).

 

What a relief and thanks again.

[ho_co]

You're welcome. Hope it works.

 

Obviously, I learned by making the same "mistake," and was told firmly on the forum, "If you're going to expect it to be ready immediately, either learn to touch the button on the way to your eye, or set it not to go to sleep."

 

Anyway, keep checking, and I hope that's all it was!